Background: Weightbearing cone beam computed tomography (WB CBCT) allows detailed 3-dimensional imaging of the foot and ankle in a weightbearing state and provides improved accuracy and reliability of foot alignment measures, especially when compared with conventional radiographic views. Purpose: To describe the foot alignment in National Basketball Association (NBA) players with different symptomatic foot and ankle injuries using WB CBCT and to determine if any predominant morphotype would be identified. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 45 active NBA players (mean age, 24.4 years [range, 20-34 years]; N = 54 feet [29 right, 25 left]) were assessed using WB CBCT. Measurements included the following: (1) foot and ankle offset (FAO), (2) calcaneal offset (CO), (3) hindfoot alignment angle (HAA), (4) angle between the inferior and superior facets of the talus (Inftal-Suptal), (5) angle between the inferior facet of the talus and the horizontal floor line (Inftal-Hor), (6) forefoot arch angle (FAA), (7) navicular-to-floor distance, and (8) medial cuneiform–to-floor distance. Measurements were then compared with values available in the literature for a “normal” foot morphotype. Results: Among the 54 feet, the mean FAO was 0.48% (95% CI, –0.25% to 1.21%), the mean CO was 1.18 mm (95% CI, –0.50 to 2.87 mm), and the mean HAA was 1.42° (95% CI, –0.80° to 3.65°). The mean Inftal-Suptal angle was 5.31° (95% CI, 3.50°-7.12°), while the mean Inftal-Hor angle was 4.04° (95% CI, 2.56°-5.51°). The mean FAA was 15.84° (95% CI, 14.73°-16.92°), the mean navicular-to-floor distance was 38.30 mm (95% CI, 36.19-40.42 mm), and the mean medial cuneiform–to-floor distance was 26.79 mm (95% CI, 25.30-28.28 mm). None of these values were found to be significantly different when comparing forwards, guards, and centers. Conclusion: NBA players presenting with symptomatic foot and ankle injuries had a fairly “normal” foot morphology, with a tendency toward a varus hindfoot and a high-arched morphotype. No significant differences were found between players based on their position on the court. WB CBCT may help to shed light on anatomic risk factors for common injuries in professional players and may aid in the planning of specific prevention programs.

Our goal was to develop a novel technique for inducing Achilles tendinopathy in animal models which more accurately represents the progressive histological and biomechanical characteristic of chronic Achilles tendinopathy in humans. In this animal research study, forty-five rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups and given bilateral Achilles injections. Low dose (LD group) (n = 18) underwent a novel technique with three low-dose (0.1mg) injections of collagenase that were separated by two weeks, the high dose group (HD) (n = 18) underwent traditional single high-dose (0.3mg) injections, and the third group were controls (n = 9). Six rabbits were sacrificed from each experimental group (LD and HD) at 10, 12 and 16 weeks. Control animals were sacrificed after 16 weeks. Histological and biomechanical properties were then compared in all three groups. At 10 weeks, Bonar score and tendon cross sectional area was highest in HD group, with impaired biomechanical properties compared to LD group. At 12 weeks, Bonar score was higher in LD group, with similar biomechanical findings when compared to HD group. After 16 weeks, Bonar score was significantly increased for both LD group (11,8±2,28) and HD group (5,6±2,51), when compared to controls (2±0,76). LD group showed more pronounced histological and biomechanical findings, including cross sectional area of the tendon, Young’s modulus, yield stress and ultimate tensile strength. In conclusion, Achilles tendinopathy in animal models that were induced by serial injections of low-dose collagenase showed more pronounced histological and biomechanical findings after 16 weeks than traditional techniques, mimicking better the progressive and chronic characteristic of the tendinopathy in humans.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the epidemiology of ankle fractures surgically treated at the Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Medical records of patients admitted with foot and ankle fractures between 2006 and 2011 were revised. Seventy three ankle fractures that underwent surgical treatment were identified. The parameters analyzed included age, gender, injured side, AO and Gustilo & Anderson classification, associated injuries, exposure, need to urgent treatment, time to definitive treatment and early post-operative complications. Study design: retrospective epidemiological study. RESULTS: Male gender was predominant among subjects and the mean age was 27.5 years old. Thirty nine fractures resulted from traffic accidents and type B fracture according to AO classification was the most common. Twenty one were open fractures and 22 patients had associated injuries. The average time to definitive treatment was 6.5 days. Early post-operative complications were found in 21.3% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ankle fractures treated in a tertiary hospital of a large city in Brazil affect young people victims of high-energy accidents and present significant rates of associated injuries and post-operative complications. Level of Evidence IV, Cases Series.

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Objective: This article describes a clinical and radiologic retrospective analysis of odontoid fractures in 20 patients accompanied by the IOT-HCFMUSP, from 2004 to 2010. Methods: These fractures were stratified according to their classification (AO/ Anderson and D'Alonzo), epidemiologic profile, type of treatment, time to consolidation of the fracture, and complications. Results: It was observed that there was a higher number of odontoid fractures in males (4:1), between the third and fourth decades of life (60%), and that the main causes of the trauma were falling from heights (60%) and car accidents (25%). Also, 15% of the cases presented neurological deficits. The most prevalent type of odontoid fracture was Type II (55%) followed by Type III (40%). The most prevalent type of treatment used for Type II and III fractures was surgical (73%) and non-surgical (87.5%), respectively. Consolidation of the fracture took place within 16 weeks in 87.5% of surgically treated cases, and in 54.5% of those treated non-surgically. No cases of pseudoarthrosis were found. Conclusion: The surgical treatment of Type II odontoid fractures showed satisfactory results in relation to time to consolidation of the fracture and low incidence of complications, as did the non-surgical treatment used for the Type III fractures. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.